When I got married, I opted to keep my own last name, because I am still in school, and everything was registered under my name and it would be easier if I kept it the same for the time being.
What are the Christian opinions on this? I have heard both sides from Christians so I wanted to know what your thoughts were? Does a wife have to take her husband's last name?
2007-12-20 06:08:49 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There is no compulsion under our religion to take our husband's last name. However, I personally believe it's a sign of respect and unity, so I think a woman should use her husband's last name. But I wouldn't look down on a woman who chose to do what you did.
2007-12-20 06:16:37 · answer #1 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm a Christian and I don't plan on taking on a different last name when I get married. Last names have nothing to do with the bond between you and your husband. Anyway, if your husband's okay with it, that's all that matters.
2007-12-20 06:17:45 · answer #2 · answered by _I_love_warm_bananas_ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see that it really matters one way or the other.
I took my husband's last name when we got married (4 letters to 11 letters... whew!).
Some feel that it's showing too much submission when a wife takes the husband's last name.
Some feel that it's being inappropriately stubborn to not take his name.
Personally, i feel that it shows a vital level of loyalty and commitment.... He shows the same thing when he hands over his paycheck, or leaves her home with their dearest possession- children.
I don't see why a woman MUST take her husband's name, but I also don't see why a woman SHOULDN'T take her husband's name.
2007-12-20 06:21:49 · answer #3 · answered by Yoda's Duck 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question.
I don't think this is a "Christian" issue...meaning that I don't think God said anything about the topic. Different cultures have different customs related to surnames and I don't think any of them are "wrong" per se.
Personally, I have no intention of taking my husband's last name if God ever chooses to bless me with a husband (LOL). I did the hyphenation thing the last time and that was just a hassle. Other than the year I was married, I've lived my entire life with my "maiden name"...it is my name and it is associated with a huge paper trail related to my personal and professional activities. I don't believe that marriage means that I have to give up my identity to become "Mrs. Whatever". I didn't feel this way at 20, but when I married at 29 I wasn't willing to give up my last name entirely (similar reasons...I was working on my doctoral degree and had already published using that name). Ten (plus) years later, my name is a firmly entrenched part of my identity!
On top of all this, my son has my last name and I want it to stay that way. He is my dad's only grandchild...while it isn't important to me, the whole "carrying on the family name" thing is important to my dad.
I do understand that it can cause confusion and that people can make all sorts of assumptions about a woman that doesn't share her husband's last name, but their confusion and assumptions aren't my responsibility. My responsibility is becoming my husband's "helpmeet" and I don't think sharing the same last name is a requirement for that role!
2007-12-20 06:28:57 · answer #4 · answered by KAL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Last names weren't a common practice until the Middle
Ages in Europe. The Bible doesn't dirrectly say anything about it.
Persoanlly I think it is a neat custom for a family to have the same last name. I know Latin culture keeps maiden name and adds a 'of husbands last name.' It's just a matter of custom. The bigger question is your heart to honor your husband. I think a lot of people in modern time who have not changed their names did so out of not honoring not just custom.
2007-12-20 06:29:38 · answer #5 · answered by Diane D. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Christian woman and I kept my last name when I got married. The priest who married us didn't have a problem with it. Most women take their husband's name because of secular tradition, rather than religious traditions.
2007-12-20 06:17:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In certain South American, very catholic countries, the husband takes on the wife's last name.
To my understanding it's traditional, not doctrinal.
2007-12-20 06:16:23 · answer #7 · answered by Lizard 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Who was Joyce Meyer's first husband?
2016-11-06 20:44:23 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing in scripture to go either way. Your approach is pragmatic and makes sense. Taking on your husbands name is a way to honor him as head of the household as well as to represent what happens when we are saved, ie we "are in Christ" and thereby the church will be given a "new name" when His kingdom comes. For practicality, leave your name as is. However, after school, change your name. In fact, there are other areas where you can start changing your name that will not effect your school registration issues.
2007-12-20 06:15:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Their was no question about it when I got married I proudly took my hubby's name. I was in college and working full time. Their was a lot of stuff I had to change but I did it and for me I would not have had it any other way.
2007-12-20 06:17:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋